GARETH THOMAS has revealed how a conversation with Gazza forced him to shelve plans to end his Wales career after the 2007 World Cup.

The inspirational Wales and Lions skipper made his first tentative steps back on a rugby field in a charity match for the Ty Hafan Children's Hospice in Cardiff yesterday.

But Alfie, speaking exclusively to the Wales on Sunday after the game, revealed how he has scrapped plans to retire after his fourth appearance at a World Cup.

The 88-times capped Welsh international has been out of action for four months after he ruptured an artery in his neck playing for Toulouse against Narbonne last February.

But a chance meeting with England soccer legend Paul Gascoigne after the Soccer Aid charity match at Old Trafford made Alfie think twice about quitting.

"I had my own plan about when I was going to retire," said Thomas. "But this injury has made me realise that rugby is such a massive part of my life.

"I was talking to Paul Gascoigne after the charity match as we were walking around the pitch and he said how much he missed playing.

"I don't know what I would be without rugby in my life and playing for Wales. I love doing it and it's my passion to play for my country.

"So the plan was to make the World Cup, which would have been a massive achievement, and call it a day.

"Now I want to make the World Cup and play afterwards and I will keep going until I am dropped.

"I am a 31-year-old so I am no spring chicken and I know I am coming to the end of my career, but I don't want to walk away from it then wonder 'did I really give it everything?' I want to walk away with people saying that I gave it my all."

Wales' Grand Slam captain is back in full training again and ready to put his body on the line for his country and his club Toulouse.

Alfie, who has played for Wales in the 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cups, is already in the middle of his comeback and expects to play for the French giants on August 21.

But he did admit he had a scare last week and thought he might have to delay his return to action.

"I had to go for a scan," he admitted. "The doctor said he needed to speak to me and I thought he was going to say I can't play again, but he said the blood was flowing through the artery again. That's the best news I have had."

Alfie admitted he was desperate to get back to playing rugby after being sidelined for so long.

"I have had enough of watching and I cannot tell you how frustrated I am," said Thomas.

"I just desperately want to play. I have had a rest and I have a hunger now that I didn't even have as a 16-year-old. And if there is any time I need to be desperate to play again, it's this year."

New coach Gareth Jenkins admitted earlier this week that he had a decision to make about who would lead Wales to France 2007.

Alfie was appointed to lead Wales to the next World Cup but prop Duncan Jones and fly-half Stephen Jones have been mooted as rivals for the role.

Wales' leading try-scorer admits he is not even thinking about whether he will captain Wales again and is only focused on playing Test match rugby.

"I am disappointed that people are portraying it as if people are having a battle to get the job," said Thomas.

"My priority is playing my first game for Toulouse. I cannot look any further than that. I love being captain of Wales and people know how I feel about that. I love the role but I love rugby more and playing again and playing well enough to pull on a Welsh jersey is all I am thinking about.

"If I am first out of the tunnel or last out of the tunnel, it doesn't matter, as long as I am in a Wales jersey.

"I cannot expect Gareth Jenkins or any Wales coach to automatically select me because of what I have done in the past. I have to prove myself again.

"But this break has been so good for me because Lee Byrne is playing well and Kevin Morgan is coming back.

"There are players blocking my path now and I certainly don't see myself as first-choice full-back for Wales. I know exactly where I am and what I have to do to get to where I want to be."